Hospitality & Tourism Management Program

UVI's hospitality management program is designed to prepare the graduate for middle management responsibility in large establishments or for greater responsibility in smaller enterprises. Students may elect to obtain internationally recognized certificates awarded by the American Hotel and Motel Association through examination at the completion of selected hospitality courses. Graduates will have the basic preparation needed for positions as stewards, purchasing agents, banquet managers, club managers, resort managers, front office managers, resident auditors, and food and beverage managers.

Professor Tamara Lang, Director of the UVI Hospitality and Tourism Management program partners with the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association [http://virgin-islands-hotels.com/ ] and VI Governor Mapp at the recent General Membership meeting.

The HTA presented UVI Professor Tamara Lang with an award for her work as director of the University’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Program. Students enrolled in UVI’s Hospitality Degree Program can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

According to Professor Lang “In our program we teach our students about all of the industries that are in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry—from the cruise lines, resorts to travel and tourism... Tourism and Hotel Management is the number one growing industry in the world and we are expanding. In the Caribbean, of course, it is our life bread.”

Cathriellah Shabazz, a UVI Hotel and Tourism senior, was nominated for the Tommy Award’s Associate of the Year. Shabazz, who attends classes on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, believes and strives to deliver exceptional service.

Each student must complete approximately 200 to 300 hours in internships within the industry. Students on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix are participating in internships through the program. Students participate in tours, site visits, lectures, hospitality community projects, special events, laboratory experiences and more. The hospitality program received national recognition, ranking number 26, in a list of “50 Most Affordable Small Colleges for Hospitality Administration and Management.”

The hospitality management programs is offered on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix and the St. Thomas Campus. For more information about this program contact Tamara Lang at 340-693-1314.